Trust as the Year Begins

Sunset and Dead Trees

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It is not because of the winter season that the tall trees in the photograph are bare. No, they are dead, still standing in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, a testimony to the fragility and the uncertainly of life on our planet. As the new year opens we find our security, not in governments, wealth, health, or even the solidity of the ground beneath us — but only in our God, who holds us and sustains us, who brings life out of death and good out evil.

The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27 RSV)

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Tree - moving camera
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)

Happy Thanksgiving!

The earth has yielded its harvest; God, our God, blesses us.
(Psalm 67:6)

May we not forget or neglect those who benefit little from the bounty of the earth.
May we make wise decisions regarding the stewardship of God's earth, so that the earth may continue to yield its harvest.

Here is a Thanksgiving video using fractal images, visit Thankful.

You Are Light

Spectrum on Bathroom Wall (enhanced)
(Click on photo to view full-sized.)

For once you were darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light.

(Ephesians 5:8)

In Memoriam

In memory of all the innocent people
killed in the genocide in Darfur

Please visit at least one of these sites:
Faithful America
Searching for Jacob
National Association of Evangelicals
Sojourners

... and don't forget to contact our President and your representatives in Congress.

Light Within

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From Thomas R. Kelly, "The Light Within," A Testament of Devotion:

Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking Voice, to which we may continuously return. Eternity is at our hearts, pressing upon our time-torn lives, warming us with intimations of an astounding destiny, calling us home unto Itself. Yielding to these persuasions, gladly committing ourselves in body and soul, utterly and completely, to the Light Within, is the beginning of true life.

Anniversary of Katrina

In the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
till the storms of destruction pass by.
(Psalm 57:1)

Pray for peace

As violence and war spread in our troubled world, let us both pray for peace and work toward peace.

You might want to join in what has been called the "Universal Prayer for Peace."

Icon photograph copyright © Failey

 

Surprising Beauty

Bark on Sand
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Glory be to God for dappled things—
For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough;
And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim.

All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise him.

Gerard Manley Hopkins, "Pied Beauty"

Praising God All the Day

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From the rising of the sun to its setting,
The name of the Lord is to be praised!
(Psalm 113:3)

For suggestions on keeping a prayerful spirit throughout the day, see "Contemplative Practices."

Save the Internet!

The Time of Singing Has Come

Magnolia Blossom Opening
(Click to view full size photo.)

Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away;
for lo, the winter is past,
the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth;
the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtle-dove
is heard in our land.

(Song of Songs 2:10-12)

Flowery Lent

Flowers are everywhere. In fact the azaleas and the dogwoods have just about finished blooming. Right now our fringe tree is splendid. The showy abundance doesn't seem quite lenten. However, I am reminded of one of the liturgical prayers that speaks of "the joyful season" of Lent.

Each year, you give us this joyful season
when we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery
with mind and heart renewed.
(Lenten Preface)

Starry Night

Starry Night with Branches
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Reading

Reading Child in Bubble
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Oh, the heights to which you will go!

Small Pleasures

Teacup in Sunlight
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Fine wine has its place.
But thanks be to God for simple pleasures.

Angels

Do not neglect to show
hospitality to strangers,
for thereby some have entertained
angels unawares.

(Hebrews 13:2)

(Click on images to
view full size.)

[God] will give his angels
charge of you
to guard you
in all your ways.

(Psalm 91:11)

But the Word of Our God...

Old Church on Highway 16
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"...but the word of our God will stand forever."
Isaiah 40:8